Clemson RB Travis Etienne remains a hardy, humble worker

Clemson freshman running back Travis Etienne is a proud product of the parish in Southwest Louisiana. His race to stardom has carried him back to his home state for the Sugar Bowl.
MANIE ROBINSON / Staff

Clemson running back Travis Etienne (9) after the game at the Dr. Pepper ACC football championship at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. on Saturday, December 1, 2018.(Photo: Ken Ruinard / staff)

And he did it the same he has always done it since he arrived at Clemson from Jennings, Louisiana, with that signature bright smile.

The only smile broader than Etienne’s that night was the one stretched across the face of Clemson coach Dabo Swinney. He stared at Etienne with glowing pride, as Etienne graciously attributed the 156 yards and two touchdowns he compiled against Pittsburgh to his teammates.

“All that credit goes to my offensive line,” Etienne said, before honoring the contributions of his fellow running backs.

“You want to go out there and lay it on the line for them,” Etienne said. “I think the reason I've been so successful this year is just the group of backs that I have. Tavien (Feaster) coming in there, running the defenses down. Adam (Choice) coming in. You see what he’s doing. When (Lyn-J Dixon) gets a chance, he's unbelievable in the vision he has. All my credit just goes to those guys.”

Clemson running back Travis Etienne (9) carries against Pittsburgh during the 2nd quarter of the Dr. Pepper ACC Championship at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. Saturday, December 1, 2018.(Photo: BART BOATWRIGHT/Staff)

Etienne’s humble, workmanlike approach is laudable, but a portion of the credit cannot be attributed to the line or the receivers for their effective blocks, or to his running back colleagues for stiffening the competition, or to the coaches for calling the right plays, or to the quarterbacks for their accurate handoffs.

No, much of the credit belongs squarely on Etienne’s broad shoulders and on his sturdy, incessantly churning legs. Etienne certainly has capitalized on open rushing lanes. However, many of the 1,474 yards and 21 touchdowns he compiled this season were generated through sheer force and grit.

Etienne ran around, through and away from defenders. He earned ACC Offensive Player of the Year honors while averaging 8.3 yards per carry. Etienne is ranked fifth in the Division I bowl subdivision in yards per carry and total rushing yards. He is ranked 10th with 112.5 rushing yards per game.

ACC Commissioner John Swofford presents Clemson running back Travis Etienne (9) the Player of the Game trophy after the Tigers 42-10 win over Pittsburgh in the Dr. Pepper ACC Championship at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. Saturday, December 1, 2018.(Photo: BART BOATWRIGHT/Staff)

He finished seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting and could jumpstart a promising 2019 Heisman campaign with two exceptional workdays in the College Football Playoff.

Clemson also averaged 270.1 passing yards per game this season. Clemson averaged at least 500 yards of total offense per game in four of the previous six seasons. Yet, Clemson has never averaged at least 250 yards per game rushing and passing in the same season.

That distinction is within reach, if Clemson and Etienne bring their hard hats to the Cotton Bowl.